Texas TE Gunnar Helm receives controversial penalty for pointing at Ohio State player
After hauling in a 34-yard pass against Ohio State in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic, Texas tight end Gunnar Helm was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The officials threw the flag after Helm pointed at OSU safety Caleb Downs when he stiff armed him to the ground.
While Texas still gained a first down, the drive ultimately resulted in an Ohio State scoop-and-score after Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers fumbled on a fourth-and-goal. Now, Texas fans will be left wondering how the drive would’ve been different if Helm hadn’t been called for a penalty.
The moment was especially frustrating for Texas fans because earlier in the game, Gunnar Helm absorbed a massive hit from Ohio State safety Sonny Styles but no flag was called. Sawyer’s scoop-and-score on the aforementioned drive ultimately sealed the Buckeyes’ 28-14 win.
Quinn Ewers credits Jack Sawyer for strip and score
A storybook ending unfolded in the final minutes of the Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday. Unfortunately for Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, he wasn’t the one with a happy ending.
Ahead of Ohio State and Texas’ showdown in the College Football Playoff semifinals, there were plenty of stories about Ewers’ connection to the Buckeyes. The standout QB began his career at OSU but transferred to Texas after only one season.
Although Ewers wasn’t in Columbus for long, he was there long enough to make connections. One of those connections came back to haunt him on Friday night.
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With just over two minutes left in the game, Texas trailed Ohio State 28-14. However, after a relatively successful march down the field, Texas was fourth-and-goal on Ohio State’s 8-yard line and seemingly a play away from tying the game.
That’s when Ohio State’s fairytale ending and Ewers’ nightmare scenario simultaneously unfolded. Ewers’ roommate during his lone season at Ohio State was Jack Sawyer. The same Jack Sawyer who went on to become a defensive star for the Buckeyes.
On the pivotal play, Sawyer stripped Ewers and returned the fumble 84 yards for a scoop-and-score touchdown, giving Ohio State a 28-14 lead. Texas was unable to strike back and the Buckeyes emerged victorious. After the game, Quinn Ewers discussed the momentous play.
“I felt him,” Ewers said of Sawyer. “I started drifting away. I thought I was gonna be able to get the ball off before he got there. Obviously, it’s not like I tried to give them the game. But, I saw jack running with the ball down the sideline, and it sucks, man.”